Information processing apparatus having a plurality of lines, control method therefor, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus capable of providing address information of a line desired by a user. The information processing apparatus causes the user to select a line corresponding to the address information to be set in the near field wireless communication information, and sets the address information of the selected line in the near field wireless communication information, so as to transmit the near field wireless communication information, in which the address information of the line desired by the user is set, by near field wireless communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, acontrol method therefor, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

Multifunction printers (MFPs) as information processing apparatuses forperforming near field wireless communication such as near fieldcommunication (NFC) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy(hereinafter referred to as “BLE”) communication are known. Near fieldwireless communication is mainly used for pairing and handover ofcommunication information. For example, when a mobile terminal having anear field wireless communication function approaches an MFP, the MFPtransmits near field wireless communication information includingaddress information such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address and amedia access control (MAC) address of the MFP to the mobile terminalthat has approached by near field wireless communication (for example,see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (kokai) No. 2016-018283).Based on the address information included in the received near fieldwireless communication information, the mobile terminal performswireless communication with the MFP, such as Wi-fi that allowscommunication at a higher speed than the above-mentioned near fieldwireless communication, and for example, transmits, to the MFP, printdata which gives instruction for execution of printing.

In recent years, an MFP having a plurality of lines have been developed,and this MFP can properly selectively use a plurality of differentnetworks. For example, this MFP uses one network in a line and usesanother network different from the one network in another line. In thisMFP, address information is set for each line, and the addressinformation set for lines are different from one another. Also in a casewhere this MFP transmits the address information to the mobile terminalby near field wireless communication, it is necessary to set the addressinformation as near field wireless communication information. However,only one piece of address information can be set in the near fieldwireless communication information. Therefore, it is necessary for theMFP to determine specified address information to be set in the nearfield wireless communication information from address information of aplurality of lines.

However, since the address information of the line desired by a userdepends on a use purpose of the information processing apparatus and asecurity policy of an environment in which the information processingapparatus is used. Therefore, the MFP cannot specify the addressinformation to be set in the near field wireless communicationinformation. That is, the conventional MFP cannot provide the addressinformation of the line desired by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an information processing apparatuscapable of providing address information of a line desired by a user, acontrol method therefor, and a storage medium.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an information processingapparatus that includes a plurality of lines and transmits near fieldwireless communication information, in which address information of oneof the plurality of lines is set, by near field wireless communication,the information processing apparatus comprising a selection unitconfigured to cause a user to select a line corresponding to the addressinformation to be set in the near field wireless communicationinformation, and a setting unit configured to set the addressinformation of the selected line in the near field wirelesscommunication information.

The present invention can provide the address information of the linedesired by the user.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing a network configuration of an MFP asan information processing apparatus according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configurationof the MFP in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams each showing one example of an operationscreen displayed on an operation panel in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of connection informationsetting processing to be executed by the MFP in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one example of a priority IF setting screendisplayed on the operation panel in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for describing a structure of NDEF datatransmitted from the MFP in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a first variation of theconnection information setting processing in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a structure of an advertising packettransmitted from the MFP in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a second variation of theconnection information setting processing in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for describing a structure of theadvertising packet transmitted from the MFP in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a third variation of theconnection information setting processing of FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing one example of a menu screen displayed onthe operation panel in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 13A to 13D are diagrams each showing an example of each modescreen displayed on the operation panel in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing a network configuration of an MFP 10as an information processing apparatus according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

The MFP 10 is connected to a router 14 via a wired LAN, and the router14 is connected to an access point 12 via a wired LAN. The MFP 10performs wired LAN communication with a mobile terminal 11 via therouter 14 and the access point 12. The MFP 10 is connected to an accesspoint 13 via a wireless LAN. The MFP 10 performs wireless LANcommunication with the mobile terminal 11 via the access point 13.Furthermore, the MFP 10 performs direct wireless communication(hereinafter referred to as “wireless direct communication”) or nearfield wireless communication directly with the mobile terminal 11. Thenear field wireless communication is NFC communication and BLEcommunication.

The MFP 10 has a plurality of lines. As one example, the presentembodiment will describe a configuration in which the MFP 10 has oneprimary line and one secondary line. Also, the MFP 10 can simultaneouslyoperate a wired infrastructure using the access point 12 connected via awired LAN and a wireless infrastructure using the access point 13connected via a wireless LAN. The MFP 10 uses one of the wiredinfrastructure and the wireless infrastructure as the primary line, andthe other as the secondary line. Different IP addresses are assigned torespective lines. Also, in the MFP 10, an IP address different from theIP address of each line is assigned for the wireless directcommunication. Hereinafter, the IP address assigned to the primary lineis referred to as a primary line IP address. The IP address assigned tothe secondary line is referred to as a secondary line IP address. The IPaddress assigned to the wireless direct communication is referred to asa wireless direct IP address.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configurationof the MFP 10 in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes a control unit 201, a printing unit 207,a reading unit 209, and an operation panel 211. The control unit 201 isconnected to the printing unit 207, the reading unit 209, and theoperation panel 211. Also, the control unit 201 includes a CPU 202, aRAM 203, a ROM 204, an HDD 205, a printer I/F 206, a scanner I/F 208,and an operation panel I/F 210. Also, the control unit 201 includes awired LAN I/F 212, a wireless LAN I/F 213, an NFC I/F 214, and a BLE I/F215. The CPU 202, the RAM 203, the ROM 204, the HDD 205, the printer I/F206, and the scanner I/F 208 are connected to one another via a systembus 216. In addition, the operation panel I/F 210, the wired LAN I/F212, the wireless LAN I/F 213, the NFC I/F 214, and the BLE I/F 215 arealso connected to one another via the system bus 216.

The MFP 10 is an image forming apparatus that performs image formingprocessing. The control unit 201 controls an operation of the entire MFP10. The CPU 202 performs each control by reading and executing a controlprogram stored in the ROM 204. The RAM 203 is used as a work area forthe CPU 202 and as a temporary storage area for each data. The ROM 204stores control program and the like to be executed by the CPU 202. TheHDD 205 stores data, programs, and setting information. The printer I/F206 outputs an image signal for performing printing processing to theprinting unit 207. The printing unit 207 performs printing processingbased on the received image signal. The scanner I/F 208 transfers a readimage signal output and received from the reading unit 209 to the CPU202. The reading unit 209 reads a document and outputs a read result asthe read image signal to the scanner I/F 208. The operation panel I/F210 connects the operation panel 211 and the control unit 201. Theoperation panel 211 includes a liquid crystal display unit (not shown)having a touch panel function, a keyboard (not shown), and the like, andreceives an instruction to change each setting of the MFP 10 and thelike.

The wired LAN I/F 212 performs wired LAN communication with the mobileterminal 11 or the like by using the wired infrastructure. The wirelessLAN I/F 213 performs wireless communication that allows communication ata higher speed than near field wireless communication with an externaldevice (not shown). For example, the wireless LAN I/F 213 performswireless LAN communication with the mobile terminal 11 by using thewireless infrastructure. Also, the wireless LAN I/F 213 performswireless direct communication with the mobile terminal 11. The NFC I/F214 performs NFC communication with the mobile terminal 11 or the like.For example, the NFC I/F 214 transmits address information on the MFP 10such as the IP address and MAC address of each line to the mobileterminal 11 by NFC communication. The BLE I/F 215 performs BLEcommunication with the mobile terminal 11 or the like. For example, theBLE I/F 215 transmits the address information to the mobile terminal 11by BLE communication.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams each showing one example of an operationscreen displayed on the operation panel 211 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3A shows aLAN selection screen 301, FIG. 3B shows a wireless direct setting screen306, and FIG. 3C shows a wireless direct execution instruction screen309.

The LAN selection screen 301 is a screen for setting the use of thewired infrastructure and the wireless infrastructure. The LAN selectionscreen 301 includes a plurality of operation buttons, that is, a wiredLAN button 302, a wireless LAN button 303, a wired LAN(primary)+wireless LAN (secondary) button 304, and an OK button 305. Theuser can select one operation button from among the wired LAN button302, the wireless LAN button 303, and the wired LAN (primary)+wirelessLAN (secondary) button 304.

In a case where the wired LAN button 302 is selected by the user, awired LAN mode is set in the MFP 10. In the wired LAN mode, among thewired infrastructure and the wireless infrastructure, only the wiredinfrastructure is used. In a case where the wireless LAN button 303 isselected by the user, a wireless LAN mode is set in the MFP 10. In thewireless LAN mode, among the wired infrastructure and the wirelessinfrastructure, only the wireless infrastructure is used. In a casewhere the wired LAN (primary)+wireless LAN (secondary) button 304 isselected by the user, a multiple line mode is set in the MFP 10. In themultiple line mode, both the wired infrastructure and the wirelessinfrastructure are used. Specifically, in the multiple line mode, thewired infrastructure is used as the primary line and the wirelessinfrastructure is used as the secondary line. When the OK button 305 isselected, a setting value indicating the mode set through the LANselection screen 301 is stored in the HDD 205. It should be noted thatin the present embodiment, specified restrictions are put on thesecondary line, the specified restrictions such as communication cannotbe made with a communication device connected via a gateway, or only aprinting function is available.

The wireless direct setting screen 306 is a screen for enabling ordisabling the wireless direct communication. The wireless direct settingscreen 306 includes an ON button 307 and an OFF button 308. In a casewhere the ON button 307 is selected by the user, a wireless directcommunication function is enabled, and the wired infrastructure and thewireless infrastructure are disabled, in the MFP 10. This allows the MFP10 to perform the wireless direct communication, which is started inresponse to a start instruction received through the wireless directexecution instruction screen 309. In a case where the OFF button 308 isselected by the user, the wireless direct communication function isdisabled in the MFP 10. This prohibits the MFP 10 from performing thewireless direct communication.

The wireless direct execution instruction screen 309 is a screen forreceiving the start instruction and a stop instruction of the wirelessdirect communication. The wireless direct execution instruction screen309 includes a start button 310 and a stop button 311. In a case wherethe start button 310 is selected by the user, the MFP 10 starts thewireless direct communication with a communication device such as themobile terminal 11. In a case where the stop button 311 is selected bythe user, the MFP 10 stops the wireless direct communication which hasbeen performed with the mobile terminal 11 or the like.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of connection informationsetting processing to be executed by the MFP 10 in FIG. 1.

The processing in FIG. 4 is performed by the CPU 202 executing a programstored in the ROM 204. The processing in FIG. 4 is processing forsetting address information in NDEF data 600 and the like to bedescribed with FIGS. 6A and 6B to be described later, the NFC dataexchange format (NDEF) data 600 being transmitted by NFC communication,which is one example of near field wireless communication.

In FIG. 4, to begin with, when detecting that a predetermined conditionis satisfied (step S401), the CPU 202 determines whether the wirelessdirect communication function is enabled or disabled (step S402). Thepredetermined condition is, for example, activation of the MFP 10, orsetting change performed through any one of the LAN selection screen301, the wireless direct setting screen 306, and the wireless directexecution instruction screen 309.

In a case where it is determined in step S402 that the wireless directcommunication function is enabled, the CPU 202 determines whether or notthe wireless direct communication has already been started (step S403).

In a case where it is determined in step S403 that the wireless directcommunication has already been started, the CPU 202 sets informationabout the wireless direct communication in connection information (nearfield wireless communication information) (step S404). The informationabout the wireless direct communication includes wireless direct addressinformation such as a wireless direct IP address and MAC address, SSID,and network key. Subsequently, the CPU 202 performs processing at stepS411 to be described later.

In a case where it is determined in step S402 that the wireless directcommunication function is disabling, or in a case where it is determinedin step S403 that the wireless direct communication has not beenstarted, the CPU 202 determines the setting made through the LANselection screen 301 (step S405). Specifically, in step S405, the CPU202 determines what setting value indicating out of the wired LAN mode,the wireless LAN mode, and the multiple line mode, has been stored inthe HDD 205.

In a case where it is determined in step S405 that the setting valueindicating the wired LAN mode has been stored in the HDD 205, the CPU202 sets information about the wired LAN communication in connectioninformation (step S406). The information about the wired LANcommunication is the IP address and MAC address of the MFP 10 to be usedin the wired infrastructure (hereinafter referred to as “wiredinfrastructure address information”). Subsequently, the CPU 202 performsprocessing of step S411 to be described later.

In a case where it is determined in step S405 that the setting valueindicating the wireless LAN mode has been stored in the HDD 205, the CPU202 sets information about the wireless LAN communication in connectioninformation (step S407). The information about the wireless LANcommunication is the IP address and MAC address of the MFP 10 to be usedin the wireless infrastructure (hereinafter referred to as “wirelessinfrastructure address information”). Subsequently, the CPU 202 performsprocessing of step S411 to be described later.

In a case where it is determined in step S405 that the setting valueindicating the multiple line mode has been stored in the HDD 205, theCPU 202 determines the setting made through a priority IF setting screen500 in FIG. 5 (step S408).

The priority IF setting screen 500 is a screen for setting a linecorresponding to the address information to be set in connectioninformation. The priority IF setting screen 500 includes a primary linebutton 501 and a secondary line button 502. In a case where the primaryline button 501 is selected by the user, the primary line is set as aline corresponding to the address information that is set in connectioninformation in the MFP 10. In a case where the secondary line button 502is selected by the user, the secondary line is set as a linecorresponding to the address information that is set in connectioninformation in the MFP 10.

In step S408, in a case where the user selects the primary line button501 through the priority IF setting screen 500 to make the setting, theCPU 202 sets information about communication using the primary line inconnection information (step S409). The information about communicationusing the primary line is the IP address and MAC address of the primaryline (hereinafter referred to as “primary line address information”).Subsequently, the CPU 202 performs processing in step S411 to bedescribed later.

In step S408, in a case where the user selects the secondary line button502 through the priority IF setting screen 500 to make the setting, theCPU 202 sets information about communication using the secondary line inconnection information (step S410). The information about communicationusing the secondary line is the IP address and MAC address of thesecondary line (hereinafter referred to as “secondary line addressinformation”). Then, the CPU 202 writes the set connection informationin the NDEF data (step S411).

For example, in a case where only address information is set inconnection information as in steps S406, S407, S409, and S410, the CPU202 writes the connection information in the NDEF data 600 which is adata format in FIG. 6A. In the NDEF data 600, the address information iswritten in a network ID record 601. In a case where the SSID and networkkey in addition to the address information are set in connectioninformation as in step S404, the CPU 202 writes the connectioninformation in NDEF data 602 which is a data format in FIG. 6B. In theNDEF data 602, the address information is written in a network ID record603, and the SSID and network key are written in an original extensionrecord 604.

Subsequently, the CPU 202 ends the processing. In a case where the userholds the mobile terminal 11 over an NFC tag (not shown) of the MFP 10after the processing in FIG. 4 is completed, the NDEF data including theset connection information is transmitted from the MFP 10 to the mobileterminal 11 by NFC communication.

In the processing in FIG. 4 described above, the line corresponding tothe address information to be set in the connection information isselected by the user, and the address information of the selected lineis set in the connection information. Therefore, it is possible toprovide the mobile terminal 11 with the IP address of the line desiredby the user.

In the processing in FIG. 4 described above, the near field wirelesscommunication is NFC communication or BLE communication. Therefore, itis possible to transmit the IP address of the line desired by the userto the mobile terminal having an NFC communication function or a BLEcommunication function.

Furthermore, in the processing of FIG. 4 described above, since theaddress information is the IP address and the MAC address, it ispossible to perform wired LAN communication and wireless LANcommunication with the mobile terminal 11 at a higher speed than nearfield wireless communication.

The present invention has been described above with reference to theabove-described embodiment, but the present invention is not limited tothe above-described embodiment. For example, the wireless infrastructuremay be used as the primary line and the wired infrastructure may be usedas the secondary line. Correspondingly, instead of providing the wiredLAN (primary)+wireless LAN (secondary) button 304 in the LAN selectionscreen 301, a wireless LAN (primary)+wired LAN (secondary) button may beprovided.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the priority IF setting screen500 may include a wireless direct button in addition to the primary linebutton 501 and the secondary line button 502. In the priority IF settingscreen 500, in a case where the wireless direct button is selected bythe user, the MFP 10 writes the wireless direct address information inthe NDEF data.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an advertising packettransmitted by BLE communication may be set in connection information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a first variation of theconnection information setting processing in FIG. 4.

The processing in FIG. 7 is also performed by the CPU 202 executing theprogram stored in the ROM 204. The processing in FIG. 7 is processingfor setting connection information in an advertising packet 800 in FIG.8 to be described later, the advertising packet 800 being to betransmitted by BLE communication, which is one example of near fieldwireless communication.

In FIG. 7, the CPU 202 performs the processing in steps S401 to S403.

In a case where it is determined in step S403 that the wireless directcommunication has already been started, the CPU 202 sets the wirelessdirect address information in connection information (step S701). Then,the CPU 202 transmits the advertising packet 800 in FIG. 8 including theconnection information to the mobile terminal 11 by BLE communication(step S702). In the advertising packet 800, the MAC address is set as anadvertise address 801, and the IP address is set as an advertise payload802. Subsequently, the CPU 202 ends the processing.

When it is determined in step S403 that the wireless directcommunication has not been started, the CPU 202 performs the processingin steps S405 to S410. After performing the processing in steps S406,S407, S409, and S410, the CPU 202 performs the processing in or afterstep S702 and subsequent steps. When the user brings the mobile terminal11 closer to the MFP 10 after the processing in FIG. 7 is completed, theadvertising packet 800 including the set connection information istransmitted from the MFP 10 to the mobile terminal 11 by BLEcommunication.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the connection information maybe written in a generic attribute profile (GATT) response by BLEcommunication.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a second variation of theconnection information setting processing in FIG. 4.

The processing of FIG. 9 is also performed by the CPU 202 executing theprogram stored in the ROM 204.

In FIG. 9, the CPU 202 performs the processing in steps S401 to S410.Then, the CPU 202 transmits an advertising packet 1000 in FIG. 10A (stepS901). The advertising packet 1000 does not include the IP addressincluded in the above-mentioned connection information. Then, the CPU202 determines whether or not a GATT request, which is a request fortransmission of the connection information, has been received from acommunication device (step S902). The GATT request includes an ID forspecifying a type of connection information to be requested fortransmission.

In a case where it is determined in step S902 that the GATT request hasnot been received, the CPU 202 ends the processing. On the other hand,in a case where it is determined in step S902 that the GATT request hasbeen received from a communication device, for example, the mobileterminal 11, the CPU 202 transmits the GATT response including theconnection information corresponding to the received GATT request to themobile terminal 11 (step S903). In step S902, for example, in a casewhere the GATT request including an ID “1” corresponding to “the IPaddress” as shown in FIG. 10B is received from the mobile terminal 11,the CPU 202 transmits the GATT response including the IP address set inthe connection information to the mobile terminal 11. Subsequently, theCPU 202 ends the processing.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the set connectioninformation may be displayed on the operation panel 211.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a third variation of theconnection information setting processing in FIG. 4.

The processing in FIG. 11 is also performed by the CPU 202 executing theprogram stored in the ROM 204. The processing in FIG. 11 assumes that amenu screen 1200 in FIG. 12 is displayed on the operation panel 211. Aplurality of buttons including a mobile management button 1201 isdisplayed in the menu screen 1200. In a case where the mobile managementbutton 1201 is selected by the user, one of mode screens in FIGS. 13A to13D to be described later is displayed on the operation panel 211. Itshould be noted that in the processing in FIG. 11, the CPU 202 performsthe processing in steps 5401 to S410 in the processing in FIG. 4. In theprocessing of FIG. 11, each processing after steps S404, S406, S407,S409, and S410 is different from the processing in FIG. 4. Onlyprocessing different from the processing of FIG. 4 will be describedbelow.

In FIG. 11, the CPU 202 performs the processing in step S404.Subsequently, in a case where the mobile management button 1201 isselected by the user, the CPU 202 displays a direct connection modescreen 1300 in FIG. 13A on the operation panel 211 (step S1101). In thedirect connection mode screen 1300, the connection information set instep S404 and a QR code (registered trademark) 1301 including theconnection information are displayed. By reading the displayed QR code1301, the mobile terminal 11 acquires the wireless direct addressinformation included in the connection information set in step S404.Subsequently, the CPU 202 ends the processing.

The CPU 202 performs the processing in step S406 or S407. Subsequently,in a case where the mobile management button 1201 is selected by theuser, the CPU 202 displays an infrastructure connection mode screen 1302in FIG. 13B on the operation panel 211 (step S1102). In theinfrastructure connection mode screen 1302, the connection informationset in step S406 or S407 and a QR code 1303 including the connectioninformation are displayed. For example, in a case where the connectioninformation is set in the processing in step S406, by reading thedisplayed QR code 1303, the mobile terminal 11 acquires the wiredinfrastructure address information included in the connectioninformation set in step S406. Subsequently, the CPU 202 ends theprocessing.

The CPU 202 performs the processing of step S409. Subsequently, in acase where the mobile management button 1201 is selected by the user,the CPU 202 displays a LAN connection (primary line) mode screen 1304 inFIG. 13C on the operation panel 211 (step S1103). In the LAN connection(primary line) mode screen 1304, the connection information set in stepS409 and a QR code 1305 including the connection information aredisplayed. By reading the displayed QR code 1305, the mobile terminal 11acquires the primary line address information included in the connectioninformation set in step S409. Subsequently, the CPU 202 ends theprocessing.

The CPU 202 performs the processing in step S410. Subsequently, in acase where the mobile management button 1201 is selected by the user,the CPU 202 displays a LAN connection (secondary line) mode screen 1306in FIG. 13D on the operation panel 211 (step S1104). In the LANconnection (secondary line) mode screen 1306, the connection informationset in step S410 and a QR code 1307 including the connection informationare displayed. By reading the displayed QR code 1307, the mobileterminal 11 acquires the secondary line address information included inthe connection information set in step S410. Subsequently, the CPU 202ends the processing.

Since the set connection information is displayed in the processing inFIG. 11 described above, before acquiring the connection informationfrom the MFP 10 with the mobile terminal 11 by near field wirelesscommunication, the user can confirm whether or not the addressinformation desired by the user can be acquired.

Also, in the processing of FIG. 11 described above, the QR codeincluding the set address information is displayed. With thisconfiguration, even in a situation where the mobile terminal 11 cannotexecute near field wireless communication because of poor radio waveconditions, it is possible to acquire the desired address information bythe user reading the displayed QR code by using the mobile terminal 11.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2017-176992, filed Sep. 14, 2017, which is hereby incorporated byreference wherein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus using a first network interface, which connects to a first external network and to which a first IP address is assigned wherein the first IP address is to be used when communicating with an external apparatus via the first external network, and a second network interface, which connects to a second external network different from the first external network and to which a second IP address is assigned, wherein the second IP address is to be used when communicating with an external apparatus via the second external network, the information processing apparatus comprising: at least one short range wireless network interface that performs short range wireless communication; at least one memory that stores a set of instructions; and at least one processor that executes the instructions to cause the information processing apparatus to perform operations comprising: displaying a setting screen regarding an operation setting about a network interface of information processing apparatus, the setting screen being configured to receive a user's operation to change the operation setting; in accordance with the reception of the user's operation via the setting screen to change the operation setting, setting one of a first setting for notifying of communication information of the first network interface by using the short range wireless communication or a second setting for notifying of communication information of the second network interface by using the short range wireless communication, as an operation setting of the information processing apparatus; setting the first IP address assigned to the first network interface as connection information to be notified to an external apparatus, in a case where the first setting is set as the operation setting, the first IP address is assigned to the first network interface, and the second IP address is assigned is assigned to the second network interface; and setting the second IP address assigned to the second network interface as connection information to be notified to an external apparatus, in a case where the second setting is set as the operation setting, the first IP address is assigned to the first network interface, and the second IP address is assigned is assigned to the second network interface.
 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first network interface is a network interface which performs communication using a wired communicator, the second network interface is a network interface which performs communication using a wireless communicator, and the second network interface connects to an external access point via the wireless communicator and performs wireless communication with the external apparatus via the external access point.
 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one short range wireless network interface includes a Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth LE) communication interface.
 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one short range wireless network interface further includes a NFC interface, wherein the NFC interface and the Bluetooth LE communication interface notify the external apparatus of the set connection information.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus displays a QR code including the set connection information.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a direct communication function that uses the wireless communicator to provide a communication path through which IP communication is performed between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus without via an external access point, wherein the operations further comprising: upon condition that the direct wireless communication function has already started up in the information processing apparatus, setting connection information which includes information for establishing the communication path through which the IP communication is performed and which includes neither the first IP address nor the second IP address, as the connection information to be notified to the external apparatus by the at least one short range wireless network interface, even if the first network interface is enabled and the first IP address is assigned and the second network interface is enabled and the second IP address is assigned.
 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the operations further comprising: displaying, on the setting screen, display items for selecting one IP address of one network interface to be set, as communication information to be notified via the at least one short range wireless network interface.
 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein even in a case where the information processing apparatus displays another screen different from the setting screen, one of the first IP address or the second IP address is set as the connection information to be notified to an external apparatus, based on the operation setting set in advance.
 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one short range wireless network interface includes a NFC interface.
 10. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus using a first network interface, which connects to a first external network and to which a first IP address is assigned wherein the first IP address is to be used when communicating with an external apparatus via the first external network, and a second network interface, which connects to a second external network different from the first external network and to which a second IP address is assigned, wherein the second IP address is to be used when communicating with an external apparatus via the second external network, the information processing apparatus including at least one short range wireless network interface that performs short range wireless communication, the method comprising: displaying a setting screen regarding an operation setting about a network interface of information processing apparatus, the setting screen being configured to receive a user's operation to change the operation setting; in accordance with the reception of the user's operation via the setting screen to change the operation setting, setting one of a first setting for notifying of communication information of the first network interface by using the short range wireless communication or a second setting for notifying of communication information of the second network interface by using the short range wireless communication, as an operation setting of the information processing apparatus; setting the first IP address assigned to the first network interface as connection information to be notified to an external apparatus, in a case where the first setting is set as the operation setting, the first IP address is assigned to the first network interface, and the second IP address is assigned is assigned to the second network interface; and setting the second IP address assigned to the second network interface as connection information to be notified to an external apparatus, in a case where the second setting is set as the operation setting, the first IP address is assigned to the first network interface, and the second IP address is assigned is assigned to the second network interface.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first network interface is a network interface which performs communication using a wired communicator, the second network interface is a network interface which performs communication using a wireless communicator, and the second network interface connects to an external access point via the wireless communicator and performs wireless communication with the external apparatus via the external access point.
 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one short range wireless network interface includes a Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth LE) communication interface.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one short range wireless network interface further includes a NFC interface, the method further comprising notifying, by the NFC interface and the Bluetooth LE communication interface, the external apparatus of the set connection information.
 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the information processing apparatus displays a QR code including the set connection information.
 15. The method according to claim 11, the information processing apparatus including a direct communication function that uses the wireless communicator to provide a communication path through which IP communication is performed between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus without via an external access point, the method further comprising: upon condition that the direct wireless communication function has already started up in the information processing apparatus, setting connection information which includes information for establishing the communication path through which the IP communication is performed and which includes neither the first IP address nor the second IP address, as the connection information to be notified to the external apparatus by the at least one short range wireless network interface, even if the first network interface is enabled and the first IP address is assigned and the second network interface is enabled and the second IP address is assigned.
 16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: displaying, on the setting screen, display items for selecting one IP address of one network interface to be set, as communication information to be notified via the at least one short range wireless network interface.
 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein even in a case where the information processing apparatus displays another screen different from the setting screen, one of the first IP address or the second IP address is set as the connection information to be notified to an external apparatus, based on the operation setting set in advance.
 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one short range wireless network interface includes a NFC interface.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method of controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus using a first network interface, which connects to a first external network and to which a first IP address is assigned wherein the first IP address is to be used when communicating with an external apparatus via the first external network, and a second network interface, which connects to a second external network different from the first external network and to which a second IP address is assigned, wherein the second IP address is to be used when communicating with an external apparatus via the second external network, the information processing apparatus including at least one short range wireless network interface that performs short range wireless communication, the method comprising: displaying a setting screen regarding an operation setting about a network interface of information processing apparatus, the setting screen being configured to receive a user's operation to change the operation setting; in accordance with the reception of the user's operation via the setting screen to change the operation setting, setting one of a first setting for notifying of communication information of the first network interface by using the short range wireless communication or a second setting for notifying of communication information of the second network interface by using the short range wireless communication, as an operation setting of the information processing apparatus; setting the first IP address assigned to the first network interface as connection information to be notified to an external apparatus, in a case where the first setting is set as the operation setting, the first IP address is assigned to the first network interface, and the second IP address is assigned is assigned to the second network interface; and setting the second IP address assigned to the second network interface as connection information to be notified to an external apparatus, in a case where the second setting is set as the operation setting, the first IP address is assigned to the first network interface, and the second IP address is assigned is assigned to the second network interface. 